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Sexual Responsibility

3/3/2012

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Last month we discussed the third of the Yamas (universal ethics) in the yoga philosophy which was Non stealing.

We’ll move on to Brahmacarya this month. Known to some as celibacy, to others as sexual responsibility

The way I see Brahmacarya is (please feel free to take it or leave it!) is:

Regulated sexual activity

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Sublimation to a sublime channel, not repression

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Clear, aware and mindful activity

Having said that, even within a marriage Brahmacarya may not be practiced. Sexual activity that does not honor both partners, or that used to fulfill another desire within the marriage, or used as a weapon against a partner cannot be considered as Brahmacarya.

Some people choose the life of celibacy and have cultivated the fruits of celibacy from vitality, energy and better concentration. However, this is not possible for some of us. According to Iyengar

“..This does not mean that the philosophy of yoga is meant only for celibates”.

Brahmacharya has little to do with whether one is a bachelor or married and living the life of a householder. One has to translate the higher aspects of Brahmacharya in one’s daily living.

Patanjali lays stress on continence of the body, speech and mind. Therefore, the yoga texts promotes Brahmacarya not for the act of celibacy itself but rather for what it represents: withdrawal from the material world, restraint and control of the senses, concentrated effort of the mind. It symbolizes the recognition of divinity in us all.

Siva Samita puts it beautifully

“Let him practice free from the company of men in a retired place. For the sake of appearances he should remain in society, but not have his heart in it. He should not renounce the duties of his profession, caste or rank; but let him perform these as an instrument of the Lord, without any thought of the results.”

Ramadhan Kareem


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    Weam is the founder of Namaste. She had started a very deep and intense spiritual journey at a young age having refused to continue to suffer with the common challenges of her generation: depression, anxiety and being lost. She insisted that there must be more to life than the constant rat race she was in

    Since delivering her baby in 2007, Weam has been hooked on yoga. Seeing how it transformed her body, and mind, she started practicing regularly fascinated by the way yoga got her to look at her mind and body in broader and more creative ways. Yoga stretched her body and mind beyond her comfort zone and created more space for her within.

    Taking her yoga practice further Weam got certified as a yoga teacher (RYT) and now truly believes that yoga is for everyone . She finds great joys taking people to their own edges to allow for growth and to help individuals achieve their goals whilst respecting their bodies and its limitations.

    Being fascinated by the human mind and body, Weam came across Reiki. The Reiki meditations transformed her emotional and mental state in ways she had not thought possible. Feeling that freedom from the prison of her own mind she decided to dedicate her life to help others find the tools right for their own spiritual growth and inner peace and so Namaste was born.

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